3Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 to 3 hours, stirring once halfway through cooking time. During last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and the bacon.

Tips

Expert Tips

Macaroni and cheese is a great dish for adding herbs and other ingredients to give it a unique or new flavor. For example, during the last few minutes of cooking, stir in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup salsa, cubed ham, caramelized onion or chopped cooked vegetables (such as broccoli or asparagus), or 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Packaged precooked bacon is a quick way to get great bacon flavor, but instead, you can cook 8 regular bacon slices until crisp, then drain well and crumble.